Thank you Al and Tony for responding on-list. (lots of off-list mail on this subject)
Tony...I understand your interest as President to increase the membership of FOCP and what you hope it will yield. I would like to clarify a few issues: ISSUE #1: WHAT IS REALLY GOING ON AT THE CLARK PARK BOWL 1) UNLEASHED DOGS IN CLARK PARK IS A PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY ISSUE. 2) ALLOWING DOG OWNERS TO UNLEASH DOGS OPEN AND NOTORIUSLY IN THE BOWL AT THE CLARK PARK, THERE ARE SIGNS POSTED PROHIBITING, CREATES A LIABILITY ISSUE FOR DOG OWNERS AND THE DEPARTMENT OF RECREATION. 3) THE FRIENDS OF CLARK PARK, UCD, AND PHILADELPHIA POLICE ARE KNOWINGLY ALLOWING THIS TO HAPPEN AND TAKING A PASSIVE POSITION AT THIS TIME. 4) ANYONE HAS THE RIGHT TO CALL THE POLICE ABOUT THE UNLEASHED DOGS IN THE BOWL AT ANY TIME WITHOUT A FOCP MEETING OR THE ORGANIZATION MAKING ANY RECOMENDATIONS. 5) THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE FOCP, NO MATTER WHAT NUMBER, ARE NOT IN THE POSITION TO REPEEL CITY LEASH LAWS. (Re: "The plan recommends that community organizations come to consensus about enforcement of leash laws") 6) EVERYONE WHO USES CLARK PARK HAS THE RIGHT OF PROTECTION UNDER THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA'S LEASH LAW. Someone posted to the UC-list that they stop using the park with their children because of the unleashed dogs. SENERIO #1: Who would be liable if a child was bitten by loose dog, owner present, in Clark Park's Bowl? ISSUE #2: COMMUNITY ASSOCIATIONS TAKING OWNERSHIP OF PUBLIC ISSUES BIG PROBLEM IN U-CITY!!!! There is a BIG difference between a PUBLIC meeting and a COMMUNITY meeting of a membership organization that is open to the public. 1) A PUBLIC MEETING, SUCH AS ONE HELD BY A PUBLIC OFFICIAL OR SPOSORED BY A MEMBERSHIP ORGANIZATION, ALLOWS RESIDENTS OF AN AREA TO VOICE THEIR OPINION ON A SUBJECT OF PUBLIC CONCERN TO GAGE CONCENSUS AND ALLOWS RESIDENTS TO TAKE OWNERSHIP OF ISSUES EFFECTING THEIR DAY TO DAY LIVES. 2) A COMMUNITY MEETING OF A MEMBERSHIP ORGANIZATION IS OPERATED UNDER THE GUIDELINES OF THE ORGANIZATION AND WHILE IT MAY BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC IT DOES NOT GAURENTEE THAT THOSE IN ATTENDANCE WILL BE ALLOWED TO SPEAK OR VOTE ON ISSUES AS WELL AS HAVE AN EFFECT ON ANY RESULTING RECOMMENDATIONS ENDORSED BY THE SPOSORING ORGANIZATION. *NOTE: THIS IS THE CASE OF THE HISTORIC DISTRICT IN SPRUCE HILL. ISSUE #3: WHAT IS THE ROLE OF THE FRIENDS OF CLARK PARK Friends of Clark Park is a non-profit corporation and volunteer organization founded in 1973 to help maintain and improve University City's largest public green space. Friends of Clark Park: 1) Advises city officials on the park's needs 2) Works with the Department of Recreation to improve maintenance and plan physical improvements 3) Sponsors park events and programs to encourage use of the park and foster a sense of community 4) Organizes volunteer work days 5) Provides a conduit through which groups or individuals may donate trees or make other gifts 6) Educates the public about the park's history 7) Creates a forum for the park's constituents *NOTE: # 7 is KEY, DOES NOT SAY "MEMBERS" http://www.clarkpark.info/page2.html Who's in charge of the plan? The Department of Recreation is responsible for Clark Park and is the ultimate authority on changes. The renewal plan Steering Committee (see below) will work with the Rec Department and will continue to involve the community as the plan moves forward. Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell and Recreation Commissioner Victor N. Richard III have endorsed the plan. http://www.clarkpark.info/page8.html *NOTE: THE DEPARTMENT OF RECREATION IS RESPONSIBLE FOR CLARK PARK. THE CLARK PARK IS A PUBLIC PARK UNDER THE GUIDELINES OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA. EVERYONE WHO USES THE PARK HAS THE RIGHT TO VOICE OPINIONS, BE INVOLVED IN THE GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT, AND FEEL SAFE THERE. WITHOUT A MEMBERSHIP FEE. Sorry for the shouting! Happy New Year! S. ---- You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the list named "UnivCity." To unsubscribe or for archive information, see <http://www.purple.com/list.html>.
